KAWS, CHUM (KCO15), 2016.
Estimate HK$3,800,000 – 5,500,000/ US$487,000 – 705,000.
New Now, 29 March.
Delving into the forefront of contemporary art, the Phillips New Now auction in Hong Kong showcases a diverse array of pieces that cross cultural boundaries, mediums, and visions. Highlighting artworks from KAWS' iconic pop culture figures to Kapoor's introspective pieces, this collection offers distinct perspectives on the intricacies of modern existence and accentuates the rich tapestry of our global cultural exchange.
Brian Donnelly, a seminal figure in the contemporary art landscape who is known in the art world as KAWS, stands as a testament to the fluid intersection of high art and urban culture. Brooklyn-based, his multifaceted career encompasses roles as artist, designer, entrepreneur, and avid collector.
CHUM (KCO15) emerges as a vibrant exploration of form and color, with the animated cerulean blue figure enveloped in an ultramarine hue that pays homage to Yves Klein's International Klein Blue. The artwork vibrates with energy and motion, accentuated by KAWS's meticulous application of black lines and the innovative shaping of the canvas to echo the character's outline. CHUM, a recurring motif in KAWS’s body of work, signifies the artist's enduring fascination with the symbols of popular culture, animation, and graffiti. This underscores his dual role as a critical observer and active participant in the vernacular of mass media.
The fusion of the artist's emblematic skull and crossbones motif with the iconic figure of the Michelin Man in CHUM illustrates KAWS's masterful recontextualization and reinterpretation of commercial icons as profound artistic expressions. The work's detailed craftsmanship and characteristic "XX" eyes speak to KAWS's incisive engagement with the annals of pop culture and its intersections with the realm of contemporary art.
Mr., Untitled, 2020-2023.
Estimate HK$1,000,000 – 2,000,000/ US$128,000 – 256,000.
New Now, 29 March.
In Untitled, Japanese artist Mr. weaves a tapestry of visual intrigue that encapsulates the vibrancy of youth culture and the pulsating energy of urban Tokyo. Born in 1969, a year marked by monumental achievements and cultural shifts, Mr. grew up immersed in the worlds of anime and manga, which have profoundly influenced his artistic direction. His work is a celebration of the otaku subculture and the enchanting aesthetic of kawaii, embodying a blend of nostalgia and innovation that captures the essence of contemporary Japanese life. Mr.'s artistic approach, influenced by the Superflat movement and mentored by Takashi Murakami, is evident in his mastery of blending cultural references across a flattened pictorial space.
Untitled features a character adorned with striking blue hair, embodying the innocence and charm central to the kawaii phenomenon. This character is not merely a figure but a conduit of emotion, reflecting the innocence and evoking affection that is synonymous with the idea of “moe.” Around this central character is a swirling kaleidoscope of smaller characters and motifs, each meticulously rendered, offering a narrative on the bustling nature of otaku culture.
The integration of both English and Japanese script throughout the piece adds layers of meaning, making the canvas a narrative field that speaks to the interconnectedness of global and local cultures.
MADSAKI, Le Reve 2, 2017.
Estimate HK$500,000 – 700,000/ US$64,100 – 89,700.
New Now, 29 March.
In Le Reve 2, MADSAKI offers a captivating reinterpretation of Pablo Picasso's 1932 masterpiece, Le Rêve, through the lens of his distinctive aesthetic that marries the rawness of street art with the finesse of art history. Known for his unapologetic blending of high and low culture, MADSAKI channels his multicultural upbringing and the influences of his youth — spent between Osaka and New Jersey — into his art. This piece stands as a testament to his journey from a self-described "starving artist" to a globally recognised figure in contemporary art, embodying his ambition to engage with the canon of art history in a manner that is both reverential and iconoclastic.
The painting retains the structural essence of Picasso's original, yet MADSAKI infuses it with a new vitality through his use of spray paint, stenciled caps, and vibrant colors. This technique not only introduces a sense of movement and spontaneity but also transforms the serene depiction of Picasso’s muse into a commentary on the artist’s own relationship with art and identity. The hollowed eyes and exaggerated smiles crafted by MADSAKI challenge the viewer to reconsider the familiarity of Picasso's work, presenting an homage that is deeply rooted in the 21st century's dialogue on appropriation and cultural hybridity.
Salvo, Agosto, 2009.
Estimate HK$400,000 – 600,000/ US$51,300 – 76,900.
New Now, 29 March.
In Agosto, the Italian artist Salvo captures the quintessence of the Mediterranean summer with a reverence that only someone deeply rooted in the landscape could achieve. This painting embodies the harmonious dance of light and shadow, color and form that characterizes Salvo's later works, drawing deeply from his Sicilian heritage to portray the August warmth that is emblematic of the region. The piece transcends mere representation, becoming a meditation on time itself, encapsulated through the ephemeral nature of memory. The rich, warm palette evokes the languorous heat of an Italian August, inviting the viewer into a moment suspended in the amber of Salvo's memory.
Salvo, born Salvatore Mangione in Leonforte, navigated the realms of Arte Povera and conceptual art before reaffirming his commitment to painting in the 1970s. His work, while hinting at the influences of Giorgio de Chirico's surreal landscapes and the narrative depth of Renaissance masters, remains unmistakably unique. Salvo's landscapes are not simple depictions of place but are imbued with a conceptual depth that explores the relationship between memory, identity, and the passage of time. The stylized elements of his paintings, such as the exaggerated trees and houses in Agosto, laden with color and emotion, serve as vessels for Salvo's contemplation of the nature of existence.
Agosto is a profound expression of Salvo's artistic philosophy, where the absence of human figures emphasizes the landscape's role as the protagonist. This choice invites the viewer into a serene yet complex world where the landscape itself communicates the quietude and introspection of the season. Salvo's work is a dialogue with time, memory, and the self, rendered through the lens of the Italian landscape he so adored. Through paintings like Agosto, Salvo invites us on a journey into the introspective landscapes of the heart and mind, where each sunset reflects life's fleeting beauty and the universality of human experience.
teamLab, Universe of Water Particles – Gold, 2016.
Estimate: HK$1,300,000 – 2,300,000/ US$167,000 – 295,000.
New Now, 29 March.
Universe of Water Particles – Gold, a seminal creation by the interdisciplinary collective teamLab, fuses art, technology, and nature into a singular, immersive experience. Founded by Toshiyuki Inoko in 2001, teamLab comprises a diverse group of artists, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians, and architects, all united in their pursuit to dissolve the barriers between the self and the world through innovative art.
Rendered through a complex algorithm, Universe of Water Particles – Gold is a digital waterfall that cascades across screens in a breathtaking display of light and motion. This dynamic artwork, capable of being exhibited on scales ranging from 3.5 to 15 metres, showcases the fluid beauty of water in golden hues, drawing inspiration from the natural world and the rich history of Japanese art. The piece’s adaptability to future technological advancements further underscores teamLab's commitment to evolution and sustainability within digital art, offering a piece that grows alongside its medium.
The choice of gold not only pays homage to the luxurious aesthetics of the Edo period but also symbolizes the enduring relevance of nature in art. In its execution, teamLab challenges our perceptions of space and time, inviting viewers into a space where art and environment coalesce, creating a profound, multisensory experience.
New Now
29 March
2pm HKT